Suction cleaner



March 28, 1939. D. G, `slviELLui SUCTI ON CLEANER Filed NOV. 2l, 1934 l3 sheets-shawl ATTORNEY March 28, 1939. D Q SME-LME n 2,152,289

sUCTIoN CLEANER Filed Nov. 2l, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 mvraNToR ana/a 6'. Sme/5e -Bf @554mg ATTORNEY March 28, 1939.` D. G. sMl-:LLIE

SUCTION CLEANER Filed Nov. 2l, 1934 3 SheetsSheet 3 ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 28, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SUCTION CLEANER poration of Ohio Application November 21, 1934, Serial No. 754,007 In Great Britain November 23, 1933 12 Claims.

The present invention relates to suction cleaners in general and particularly to improved automatic odor-producing means in a suction cleaner. More specifically the invention comprises an automatic odo-rizer in a suction cleaner which is sealed from atmosphere while the machine is inoperative and which ejects a measured quantity of the volatile element at the time of initial cleaner use following a storage period.

It is an object oi the present invention to provide a new and improved suction cleaner including suction cleaning means and odor-producing means. It is another object of the invention -to provide a new and improved automatic odorizer unit in a suction cleaner. Still another object is the provision, in a suction cleaner of an automatic odorizer unit which provides a measured quantity of a volatile agent to be acted upon by the air stream through the cleaner at the time the cleaner is initially placed in use following a storage period. Still another object is the provision in a suction cleaner of an odorizer unit including means to eject a measured quantity of volatile agent into contact with the moving air stream and means to prevent the repetition of that operation each time the cleaner is started and stopped. A still further object is the provision in a suction cleaner of electrically actuated means to operate an automatic odorizer unit at the beginning of the cleaning period, and which includes means to prevent subsequent operation of said unit. A still further object is the provision, in a suction cleaner, of an odorizer unit which is controlled by the cleaner handle. A still further object is the provision in a suction cleaner of an automatic odorizer unit which is designed to eject a measured quantity of volatile agent into the cleaner air stream upon` the movement of the cleaner handle through a definite range. These and other more specic objects will appear upon reading the following specification and claims and upon considering in connection therewith the attached drawings to which they relate.

Referring now to the drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present invention are disclosed:

Figure l is a side elevation of a modern suction cleaner embodying a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a partial top plan View of the cleaner shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a partial longitudinal section through the cleaner upon the line 3-3 of Figure 2,;

(Cl. 21-1Z7) Figure 4 is a vertical section through the odorizer unit upon the line 4 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged section through the ejector mechanism, illustrated in cross section in Figure 3, with the plunger also shown in cross section;

Figure 6 is a section upon the line 6 6 of Figure 4 showing the fluid passageway leading from the reservoir to the ejector;

Figure '7 is a partial side elevation of the second preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7a is a diagrammatic illustration of the electrical circuit of the invention;

Figure 8 is a vertical cross section through the odorizer unit illustrated in Figure '7, being taken upon the line 8-8 of that figure;

Figure 9 is a partial top plan view of the cleaner shown in Figure 7;

Figure 10 is a partial side elevation of a third preferred embodiment of the invention.;

Figure 1l is a partial bottom view of the cleaner shown in Figure 10 illustrating the means by which the ejector is operated by cleaner handle movement;

Figure 12 is a partial cross section through the ejector and reservoir upon the line I 2-l2 of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a section upon the line Iii-I3 of Figure 12.

The present invention comprises an odorizer unit in a suction cleaner and includes a sealed body of volatile agent together with means to eject automatically into the cleaners air streamV a measured amount of that agent at the time the cleaner is initially placed in use. The invention is constructed so that the ejection is not repeated each time the cleaner motor is turned off and the machine is rendered temporarily inoperative. 1n order that the odorizer unit can again function the machine must remain out of use for a suf- 0 ficient length of time that a fresh charge of volatile agent will reasonably be required. The measured quantity of volatile agent is ejected into contact with the air stream which flows through l, the cleaner and into the atmosphere so that the o volatilization of the element results in the permeation of the surrounding atmosphere by the odor.

Referring again to the drawings, and to Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, in particular, the iirst preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed. A modern suction cleaner casing comprising a nozzle l, and a fan chamber 2, an air passageway therebetween which is indicated by the reference character 3, and an exhaust outlet 4, together with a motor casing 5, is movably supported by 55 front and rear wheels 6 and A pivoted handle 8 is provided with a pivoted sector member 9 which cooperates with a fixed pin I0 to position the handle in predetermined positions or to limit its movement to predetermined ranges of movement. A detachable dust bag is removably secured to the rear face of exhaust outlet 4 by manually operable nuts I2, I2. The cleaner motor casing 5 houses an ordinary electric motor I 3 comprising a stationary field, with winding and stacks, and a rotatable armature Which is not shown, but which is suitably connected to the rotatable fan I4 positioned Within the fan chamber 2. Fan I4 functions in the operation of the machine to create a reduced pressure within the nozzle and to exhaust cleaning air drawn therefrom through the exhaust outlet 4 into the dust bag The odorizer unit constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a body I5 which overlies the top of exhaust outlet 4 and contacts the front face thereof. Body I5 may be constructed integrally with the cleaner Casing or may be a separate member secured thereto. In this embodiment it is shown as formed integrally with the lower section of the motor casing 5, the main part of the body I5 being connected thereto by a bored connection. Body I5 is formed with an internal body cavity I6 which is open at one end and which is designed to serve as a reservoir for a body of fluid volatile agent which may be a liquid or a paste. The open end of the body is closed by a screw threaded removable cap and there is provided a sliding closure seal I8 which is spring urged by a coil spring I9, the end of which seats upon the cap I1, inwardly into the body cavity I6 to compress the Volatile element therein and to retain it inY a compact mass.

Connecting the body I5 to the interior of motor casing 5 is an elongated passageway which forms an exhaust or ejector .chamber 20 at a point above the transversely extending reservoir I6. Chamber 20 is interiorly connected to the end of the reservoir opposite that closed by seal I8 by a small diameter passageway 2| and through this passage the volatile element from reservoir I6 can flow under the force exerted by the spring pressed closure seal |8.

The air passageway side of the ejector chamber 2|) is closed by a spring pressed ball Valve 22 and the closing force exerted by its spring 23 is suicient to prevent the escape of the volatile element under the pressure created by the closure seal I8. The valve 22 is mounted in its seat 24 which provides a valve chamber and exhaust port which opens within the air passageway 4 and so within the dust bag The side of the ejector chamber 20 opposite valve 22 is closed by a sliding plunger 25 which includes a relatively slidable compensator 26 which is pressed into its seat in the plunger by a coil spring 21 located in the chamber. Cornpensator 26 functions to prevent the formation of a vacuum in chamber 2U when the plunger moves outwardly. Plunger 25 extends through body I5 from the chamber 20 and passes into the motor casing 5 where it is connected to a heat responsive disc 28 which is a exible convexconcave circular plate the periphery of which is seated within a seat 29 and which closely abuts the field stack of motor I3. Disc 28 may be a bi-metallic element and is so designed that upon receiving heat, in this instance the heat would come fromthe stationary field of the motor, it

ment of the invention is relatively simple. The

cleaner is taken from its storage position and placed in use for the first time after an inoperative period which has been of sufficient duration to enable the parts of the cleaner to reach substantially the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere. The parts of the automatic odorizer unit are relatively positioned as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings. Upon the closing of the usual motor switch and the passing of electric current through the motor the cleaner v begins its operation and the temperature of the cleaner motor immediately increases due to the unavoidable heat losses. The temperature of the motor is reected in an increase in temperature of the heat-responsive disc 28. This element is made responsive to a critical temperature variation and upon the motor temperature increasing by a definite amount the disc automatically moves from the position .shown in Figure 3 to a position in which the disc is iiexed in the opposite direction. This action moves plunger 25 inwardly into ejector chamber 2E. The inner end of the plunger passes the port of passageway 2| and thereafter compresses the volatile agent in the chamber. Upon the internal pressure Within the chamber 20 reaching a point suicient to overcome the force exerted by the Valve spring 23 the agent is forced from the chamber and is ejected into the valve chamber and exhaust outlet and into the air passageway 4. The amount ejected is denitely determined by the amount of fluid present within the ejector chamber 20 and is dependent upon the size of that chamber. S0 long as the cleaner remains in operation the temperature-responsive element 28 remains in its high temperature position and the plunger 25 remains in its inner position and no repetition of the ejection takes place. Temporary inoperative periods of the cleaner will not result in a second ejection as the temperature of the motor Will not fall sufficiently to permit the heatresponsive element 28 to reassume its low temperature position. The quantity of volatile agent ejected at the initial ejection is sufficient to last all usual and common use periods of the cleaner and no further ejections are necessary.

When the cleaner has reached the end of its use and is again placed in storage by the operator the temperature of the cleaner will gradually fall. Upon the motor temperature reaching a certain point and the temperature of the element 28 passing its critical point, that element will reassume the position shown in Figure 3 and plunger 25 will move to its outer position as shown in that gure. This outer movement of the plunger tends to create a reduced pressure or vacuum in the chamber up until the time the port of passageway 2| is opened. To prevent formation of a vacuum the compensator 26 slides outwardly in the plunger 25 to replace and ll the space left by the end wall of the plunger. Upon that end wall passing the port of passageway 2| additional volatile element is forced into the ejector chamber 20 by the force exerted by spring pressed closure seal I8 and the ejector chamber 20 is again filled with the agent, the compensator being forced into its seat in the plunger by its coilk spring21. The movement of the compensator away from the main part of compressor plunger 25 is possible through the latter being bored internally to provide communication between the atmosphere and the inner end of the compensator. y

Referring now to Figures .'7 to 9 inclusive, a second preferred embodiment Vofthe invention is disclosed. According to the present embodiment the automatic ejection of the-volatile agent into the cleaner air stream is accomplished electrically. The body I5 of the odorizer unit is again positioned upon the top of the exhaust outlet 4 and is open thereto through the ejector chamber 20 and valve 22. The reservoir I6 is again closed by the spring pressed closure I8 which is held in place by the coil spring I9 contacting the screw threaded cap I1. At the opposite end of the body from the reservoir I6 the unit body I5 is internally recessed to provide mounting means for a solenoid 30 including stationary magnetic coils and a -movable armature 3l. The ejector plunger 25 is connected to thearmature and is constructed as before with its compensator 26 which is normally spring pressed into its seating relationship by the' coil .spring 21. According to this embodiment a second outer concentric coil spring 21a is provided which acts upon the outer wall of the plunger to urge it outwardly. The plunger is again interiorly bored and is connected tov atmosphere at the outer end of compensator 26 as in the first embodiment, the passageway this time alsovpassing through p the armature 3|.

Y of the surrounding atmosphere.

The outer side of armature 3l isl contactedV by an abutment 33 carried by a heat responsive element 32 which is of substantially the same type as the element`28 described in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, however, the heat which causes element 32 to change from its'low temperature position to its high temperature position is obtained from the coils of the solenoid.

30 instead of from the cleaner motor.

In the operation of' the present embodiment of the invention the :closing of the motor switch at the initial use sends an energizing current through the solenoid 30 and the armature 3l moves inwardly carrying with it plunger 25. The volatile agent within the ejector chamber 20 is again forced into the air passageway 4 and so long as the cleaner remains in operation the plunger remains in its inner position. After the cleaner has been in use a short period of time the heat generated by the solenoid 30 results in the movement of the heat responsive element 32 to its reverse position and the abutment element 33 moves inwardly to again contact the armature 3 I. So long as the temperature generated by the solenoid coils remain above the critical point of the heat responsive element the element will remain in this new position and a return of the armature to its original position is prevented. This eliminates successive ejections upon Vthe turning of the cleaner on and off during operation.

Upon reaching the end of the use of the cleaner and its return to storage the temperature of the solenoid will gradually return to the temperature Upon reaching the critical temperaturev the element 32 will return to its low temperature position, illustrated in Figure 8, and abutment 33 will be moved from armature 3|. Under the force exerted by the outer concentric coil spring 21a acting upon plunger 25 the plunger and the armature will be returned to their original positions. The compensator 26 will again function to prevent the creation of a vacuum in chamber 20 before the port of passageway 2I has been uncovered in the manner of the rst embodiment.

Referring now to Figures l0 to 13, inclusive, a third preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed. According to this form of the invention the automatic ejection of the measured quantity of volatile agent is accomplished upon the movement of the cleaner handle from a definite position. Recognizing thatthe cleaner hanhas been completed, this embodiment of the invention makes use of the movement of the handle from that position to effect the automatic ejectionv of the volatile agent into the cleaner air stream. The odorizer unit body I5 is again closed by the removable cap I1 with the accompanying parts, but is this time positioned at the side of the air passageway 4 and the ejector chamber 20 is positioned therebelow. The outer end of chamber 26 is closed by'a removable cap 40 which is centrally bored to connect the space between it and plunger 25 with atmosphere. The inner end of plunger 25 is reduced and passes through the inner wall of chamber 2U and is connected in screw-threaded relationship with an alined shaft 4I which is slidingly carried by suitable guides 42, 42. Between the spaced guides 42, 42 a coil spring 43 is provided Ywhich contacts one of the guides 42 at one of its ends and the transversely projecting shoulders 44, 44 on the shaft at its opposite end. The forward end of shaft 4I extends adjacent the handle-positioning sector 45 which pivots with the handle 8 and which coopcrates with a spring-pressed detent 46 to position removably the handle in certain predetermined positions or within certain ranges of movements. A transversely extending pin 41 upon the sector 45 is adapted to move into contact with the end of sliding shaft 4I just before the detent 46 seats within the storage seat of the sector 45. This storage seat is the seat in which the handle is held in the vertical or storage position. Upon the contact of pin 41 with the end of shaft 4I and the movement of the handle into the vertical or storage position, the shaft 4I is moved rearwardly on the machine and the plunger 25 is moved from the position shown in Figure 12 rearwardly touncover the port of passageway 2| leading to the reservoir I6. The volatile agent thereupon enters and fills the chamber and so long as the machine remains inoperative continues therein, its passage therefrom into the air passageway 4 being prevented by the springpressed ball valve 22 as in the previous embodiments.

Upon the removal of the handle from the storage position the positioning force exerted by pin 41 upon shaft 4I is withdrawn and under the moving force exerted by the coil spring 43 shaft 4I, and accordingly plunger 25, moves forwardly. The plunger closes the port of passageway 2I and compresses the volatile element within the ejector chamber 20 and, as in the previous embodiment, builds up a pressure therein suiiicient to force the element through and past the valve and into the air passageway.

I claim:

1. In combination in a suction cleaning apparatus, means to create a ow of air, a volatile matic means include electrically .actuated means to eject said agent and heat responsive means to prevent repeated operation of said electrical means.

4. In combination in a suction cleaning apparatus, means to'create a flow of air, a source of volatile agent, valve means preventing contact of said air to an agent at'said source, means to open said valve means, means operative during an initial cleaner operation to actuate said valve-opening means, and means to prevent subsequent operation of said valve-opening means.

5. The construction recited in the preceding claim characterized in that `said actuating means include means to transform electric current into a mechanical force.V

6. In combination `in a suction cleaning apparatus, suction-creating means including a fan and an electric motor to create a flow of air, a container for a v olatile agent, valve means closing the interior of said container to said air, means to open said valve means, an electric solenoid electrically connected to said motor to actuate said last mentioned means, and heatresponsive means to prevent subsequent operation of said solenoid until its temperature has returned to normal, and switch means controlling the ow of current through said motor and said solenoid.

7. In combination in a suction cleaning apparatus adapted to perform cleaning, means to create a flow of cleaning air, a closed reservoir for a body of volatile agent, means to eject a quantity of said agent from said reservoir to said cleaning air stream in said apparatus, and means preventing the subsequent operation of said ejecting means until the return of said apparatus to its original physical condition before the initial use.

8. In combination ina, suction cleaning apparatus, means to create a oW of cleaning air, a reservoir for a body of volatile iluid, means to eject a quantity of fluid fromsad reservoir into turns to its initial heat relationship.

9. In a suction cleaning apparatus, suctioncreating means adapted to move a stream of air, a reservoir for volatile fluid having a removable cover, a spring-urged seal adapted to contact the surface of said fluid to exert pressure thereon, a

valve between said reservoir and saidair stream spring urged into closed position, means to force a measured quantity of said fluid from said reservoir past said valve and into said air stream during the initial operation'upon removal of said cleaner from storage, and automatic means to prevent subsequent operations of said forcing means. Y

10. In combination a suction cleaner having a slight odor in operation, a volatile odorizer element source, cleaner-operated means to expose a measured amount of said element to air during a cleaning operation to be volatilized to disguise said odor, and additional cleaner-operated means to prevent the operation of said last mentioned means fora period of time.

l1. A suction cleaner comprising a multiplicity of cooperating elements adapted to assume a storage condition and to be placed in operation once or successively Without return to said storage condition, suction-creating means adapted to create a flow of air, and an odorizer unit including a container for volatile material, means interiorly connecting said container to said air, and means to eject a charge of said material through said last mentioned means to said air upon the placing of said cleaner in operation from said storage condition and which remain inoperative upon successive operations of said cleaner thereafter where said cleaner does not return to storage condition.

12. In combination in a suction cleaning apparatus, means to create a flow of air, a retainer for volatile material, means connecting said retainer to said air, means to eject a charge of material from said retainer to said air through said last mentioned Vmeans upon` the placing of said cleaner in operation, means to retain said charge in said apparatus for'volatilization, and means rendering said ejecting means inoperative until the cleaner is returned to its original condition before initial use.

DONALD G. sMELmE. 

